Chapter 67: A Glass of Wine

"I eat just about anything," Jason replied with an easy smile. "I’m not picky. If you made it, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it."

Sabrina paused with the knife in her hand.

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Stinky Little Brother, you really know how to talk."

She tilted her head, pretending to consider his words.

"In that case, I’ll make a few of my specialties. Let’s see if you still say that after you’ve tasted them."

There was a playful challenge in her voice, but inside, she was secretly pleased.

If he’s going to compliment me this much, I have to make sure the food lives up to it.

She turned back to the counter, suddenly a little more determined.

Dinner wasn’t just dinner anymore.

She wanted him to remember it.

---

Before long, the kitchen came alive.

Sabrina turned on the stove, and blue flames flickered beneath the pan. A thin stream of oil followed, shimmering as it spread across the heated surface.

The moment she added the vegetables, the pan erupted with a loud sizzle.

Chhhhhh!

The sound filled the small kitchen.

A rich, savory aroma soon followed, drifting through the apartment and making Jason’s stomach rumble.

Sabrina worked with surprising confidence.

She tossed the vegetables, added seasoning, stirred everything together, and adjusted the heat without hesitation.

Jason stood beside her, handing her whatever she needed.

"Salt."

She reached for it.

"Thanks."

"Pepper."

"Got it."

"Try not to burn anything."

Sabrina stopped and slowly turned her head.

"Are you criticizing my cooking?"

Jason immediately shook his head.

"Absolutely not."

"Good."

She turned back to the stove.

Then, after a brief pause, Jason heard her quietly laugh.

The two of them fell into an effortless rhythm.

There was something strangely comfortable about it.

They weren’t trying to impress each other anymore.

They were simply sharing the kitchen, passing ingredients back and forth, occasionally exchanging jokes, and enjoying the quiet companionship.

Jason watched Sabrina for a moment.

She really was different from the image he had first formed of her.

At the gym, she was confident and energetic. Here, surrounded by pots, vegetables, and the warmth of the kitchen, she seemed gentler.

She had a natural ability to make a place feel lived-in.

Beautiful, confident, a good cook, and surprisingly thoughtful.

Jason couldn’t help smiling.

She’s the kind of woman who can make a house feel like home.

---

Eventually, the last dish was finished.

Sabrina carried everything to the dining table while Jason helped arrange the plates.

The small table quickly filled with food.

There were scrambled eggs with tomatoes, golden shredded potatoes, and a colorful vegetable stir-fry. Nothing was overly complicated, but everything looked fresh, warm, and inviting.

Steam curled gently from the dishes.

Sabrina sat across from Jason and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Well?"

She gave him an expectant look.

"Try it."

Jason picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and slowly chewed.

Sabrina watched him.

She tried to appear casual.

She failed.

Her eyes stayed fixed on his face, waiting for his reaction.

Jason swallowed.

Then he raised his thumb.

"Sabrina, this is seriously good."

Her eyes brightened.

"Really?"

"Really."

He took another bite.

"Honestly, this tastes better than a lot of restaurant food I’ve had."

A beautiful smile spread across Sabrina’s face.

The compliment clearly meant more to her than she wanted to admit.

"If you like it, eat more."

She pushed one of the dishes slightly toward him.

"And come over whenever you’re hungry. I’ll cook for you."

Jason smiled.

"Deal."

Sabrina lowered her eyes, hiding the little smile that appeared on her lips.

She was happy.

It felt good to have someone appreciate the effort she had put into the meal.

---

After a few more bites, Jason suddenly looked around.

"By the way, where’s your daughter?"

Sabrina’s chopsticks paused.

She set them down and gave a small sigh.

"She stays at school during the week."

Her voice softened.

"She usually comes home on Saturday."

For a moment, her expression became distant.

She missed her daughter.

Of course she did.

But she also knew that boarding school had given the girl a chance to become more independent.

"She’ll be home this weekend," Sabrina added with a small smile.

Jason nodded.

"Oh, I see."

Then he casually asked,

"So you’re usually here alone from Monday through Friday?"

Sabrina slowly looked up.

There was something about the question that made her suspicious.

"Yes."

She crossed her arms.

"Why?"

Jason blinked innocently.

"Why what?"

"Why are you suddenly interested in my schedule?"

He laughed.

"I’m just asking."

Sabrina narrowed her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Completely."

She stared at him for another second before finally looking away.

Jason couldn’t help smiling.

The conversation was becoming more playful by the second.

Sabrina picked up her glass.

"You’re acting suspicious."

"I haven’t done anything."

"Not yet."

Jason laughed.

Sabrina tried to maintain a serious expression, but she couldn’t hold it.

A small smile escaped.

"Honestly, you’re trouble."

"And yet you invited me to dinner."

"That was my mistake."

"You don’t seem to regret it."

Sabrina glanced at him.

For a brief moment, their eyes met.

Her teasing expression softened.

"No," she admitted quietly. "I don’t."

---

Dinner continued, but the atmosphere had changed.

The conversation had become warmer.

More personal.

Sabrina occasionally caught herself wondering why she was enjoying Jason’s company so much.

She had spent a long time getting used to being alone.

Her daughter was usually away at school.

Her marriage had ended badly.

And somewhere along the way, she’d become accustomed to coming home to a quiet apartment.

Tonight felt different.

There was laughter.

Someone sitting across from her.

Someone asking questions and actually listening to the answers.

When the plates were nearly empty, Sabrina suddenly had an idea.

She looked toward the wine cabinet.

Then back at Jason.

Her fingers lightly tapped against the table.

If I ask him to stay a little longer...

She hesitated.

She couldn’t exactly say that.

It would sound too obvious.

Then another thought occurred to her.

Wine.

That was harmless enough.

At least, she told herself it was.

Sabrina lifted her eyes.

"Stinky Little Brother."

"Hmm?"

"Let’s have some wine."

She smiled.

"It would be a shame to end such a nice dinner without a drink."

Jason studied her for a moment.

Then he nodded.

"Sure. I’ll have one with you."

Sabrina immediately brightened.

She stood and walked toward the cabinet.

Inside was a small collection of bottles, carefully arranged on the shelves.

After looking through them, she selected a bottle of red wine.

She returned to the table, opened it, and poured the wine into two glasses.

Under the warm dining-room light, the dark red liquid caught the glow like polished ruby.

Sabrina handed one glass to Jason before sitting down.

She raised her own.

"To tonight."

Jason lifted his glass.

"To tonight."

Their glasses touched with a soft clink.

Sabrina smiled.

Then her expression became more serious.

"Actually... there’s something I want to thank you for."

Jason looked at her.

"For what?"

"You know what."

She took a small sip before continuing.

"Earlier today, you stood up for me."

Her voice carried genuine gratitude now.

"Those women at the gym have been making things difficult for a long time. They act like they own the place because they perform well and have the manager’s support."

Her fingers tightened slightly around the stem of the glass.

"I’ve hated watching them treat other people like that."

She exhaled.

"And today, you finally gave them a taste of their own medicine."

Jason smiled faintly.

"I just couldn’t stand by and watch them bully people."

Sabrina nodded.

"That’s exactly why I’m grateful."

She looked at him over the rim of her glass.

"You didn’t have to get involved. You could’ve ignored everything and walked away."

Her voice softened.

"But you didn’t."

Jason shrugged.

"It was nothing."

"No."

Sabrina shook her head.

"It wasn’t nothing to me."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The apartment was quiet except for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the distant sounds of traffic outside.

Sabrina slowly raised her glass again.

"So... thank you."

Jason smiled.

"You’re welcome."

They clinked glasses once more.

This time, Sabrina’s smile was softer.

Less teasing.

More sincere.

And as they took another sip, neither of them realized that the simple dinner they had shared was quietly becoming something neither had expected.